There is always something spiritually spectacular about Wimbledon. Indeed, much as a cricket test at Lord's is as if the game were coming home, the sight of trim gentlemen and ladies, dressed in spotless white, chasing down service returns and impossible forehand winners against the backdrop of the precise and charming green of the courts at SW 19, awakens something emotionally dormant in every tennis fan's heart. It is tennis coming home.

The 126th Wimbledon Championships is already off to an exciting start with the stars of the men's field - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer - sailing through their first rounds even as former champion Venus Williams crashed out of the ladies' singles tournament with her worst defeat since 1997.

The extravaganza that is Wimbledon, however, is not only about tennis... at least, not for the spectators. Right or wrong, it is also about glamour, style and the fact that the ladies' draw features some undeniably pretty women!

We deny not their absolute professionalism, commitment to the sport or their burning desire to win but would also like to point they would not look out of place on the ramp of any fashion show anywhere in the world. The names roll of the tongue, in itself testament to the importance that style, glamour and looks have assumed in the world of women's professional tennis - Maria Sharapova, Flavia Pennetta, Anglelique Kerber, Tatiana Golovin, Maria Kirilenko!

It all began, however, with a certain Russian professional by name Anna Kournikova and although it has been five years since she retired, the impact the now 31 year old former pro took the tennis world by storm, when she burst on the scene in 1995. Her stunning blonde look and supermodel-like figure were instantly pounced upon by the media and a whole host of endorsement deals sealed her publicity. She was even cast, in 2000, in a Hollywood film - Me, Myself and Irene, starring Jim Carrey and Renee Zellweger. She has also been featured in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue (2004) and other publications like FHM and Maxim - more of a model's career than a tennis professionals.

Since Kournikova, a veritable production line of beautiful Russian women took over women's tennis and since then, beauty on the courts is no longer something that is ignored, either because it appears incongruous with idea of hard work and success or it means the professional in question is any less... well, professional.

So, to enter into the spirit of the whole thing, IBTimes UK presents the ten sexiest women tennis professionals at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships.

Click to start this Slideshow.

Flavia Pennetta is a 30 year old Italian professional. She was the first Italian to rank in the WTA’s Top 10 and was most recently featured in the new WTA campaign Strong is Beautiful

The 21 year old Caroline Wozniacki is a Danish international who is also a former World No 1 and a rising star. She was awarded the Tour’s Newcomer of the Year award in 2009

Angelique Kerber is a 24 year old professional from Germany with 11 ITF and 2 WTA titles to her credit. Kerber is also the highest ranked German (No 8) in the WTA rankings
"I watched Steffi Graf win her titles when I was growing up so I have a lot of lovely memories. She was my hero and maybe if I do well this year I will get to meet her. I love playing on the grass. It's my favourite surface because it suits my big serve," Kerber was quoted as saying, in a report by the Daily Mail

Daniela Hantuchova is 29 years old and from Slovakia. She is only the fifth female professional to record a career Slam in mixed doubles and has deliciously long legs

The queen of them all, 25 year old Russian Maria Sharapova has four Grand Slams to her credit (a career Grand Slam) and also a mind-boggling array of endorsements, including those automobile brand Land Rover and the world famous Tiffany’s. Like Kournikova, Sharapova has also appeared on the covers of glam mags like FHM, Maxim and Sports Illustratedapova is 25 years old and from Russia

Tsevetana Pironkova is a 24 year old Bulgarian who has quite an enviable record – she has three career wins against former World No 1 Venus Williams… a record that only a few professionals outside the top rung of stars can boastm Bulgaria

Marion Bartoli, a 27 year old French professional with the almost perfect mix of beauty, brains and talent. The former World No 7 idolises Indian freedom struggle icon Mohandas Gandhi and is an animal lover

Yet another Russian on our list, the 27 year old Vera Zvonareva started playing tennis at the age of six and, you’d think we’d get tired of saying this, has off-court smarts too. Zvonareva is studying for her second college degree, in International Economic Relations

Camila Giorgi is young, stylish and ambitious. The 20 year old Italian turned pro only a few years ago and is already ranked 145 on the WTA tour

30 year Li Na holds an incredibly special place in the world of women’s tennis – she is the first player from an Asian country to ever win a Grand Slam singles crown – the 2011 French Open. In addition, he has 5 WTA and 19 ITF titles to her credit